Pro Pundits - Tom
12 September 2026 1310 comments
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In his latest article, five-time top 1k finisher Tom Freeman shows us his Gameweek 4 Wildcard squad.

He also discusses some of the main decisions to be taken.


BRUNO F OR HAALAND, BUT NOT BOTH

As I plan to Bench Boost in Gameweek 5, including both Bruno Fernandes (£12.0m) and Erling Haaland (£15.5m) in my squad isn’t really an option, given the need for depth.

I’ve been going back and forth on which player to include throughout the week.

In my video with Joe on Tuesday, I was really keen on a ‘no-Haaland’ draft, which looked like this:

However, since then, I’ve switched to Haaland, in part due to captaincy.

GameweekNo Bruno F captaincy planNo Haaland captaincy plan
4Palmer (HUL)Palmer (HUL)
5Haaland (SUN)Fernandes (ful)
6Palmer (BOU)Palmer (BOU)
7Haaland (IPS)Fernandes (lee)
8Palmer (TOT)Fernandes (BOU)
9Haaland (BHA)Palmer (MUN)
10Haaland (nfo)Fernandes (AVL)
11Haaland (FUL)Palmer (LEE)

The ‘no-Haaland’ captaincy plan actually looks okay until Gameweek 7, but after that, it doesn’t look quite so robust.

Now, Manchester City play Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain just before Gameweek 7, so Haaland could of course be rested, but I’m hesitant to rely on that assumption, as he may very well start, too.

I do have three free transfers banked, which opens up another route to bring Haaland in. However, restructuring my squad so soon after a Wildcard doesn’t quite feel right.

This is why I am now leaning towards including Haaland.

Dropping Fernandes admittedly doesn’t feel great, especially with Fulham away next week, but it was always the plan to Bench Boost in Gameweek 5 and spread the funds, so I’m just going to see how it plays out.

BENCH BOOST OPTIONS


1,310 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Bigler
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Last two spots on WC?

    A) Szobo+Walle Egeli
    B) Scott+Barry

    With A playing Szobo every week and B rotate Scott+Barry

    1. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A for me. Would have said B if Bournemouth weren't in Europe

    2. terranullius
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I think A.

  2. Jafooli
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Is Cherki > Rogers worth a -4pts hit?

    1. Holmes
      1 month, 15 days ago

      might work

    2. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I think so long term, but could easily bite you this week

    3. Bumbaclot
      1 month, 15 days ago

      im debating this exact thing. I really dont know if its worth it

      1. Jafooli
        1 month, 15 days ago

        No Palmer for me and only JP (C)…currently 50/50 😮

        1. Bumbaclot
          1 month, 15 days ago

          Same. Think ill hold you know. Hull be staunch at the back havent they.

          1. Jafooli
            1 month, 15 days ago

            Agreed

    4. Jafooli
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Thanks all…

  3. terranullius
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Start one:

    A) Gvardiol
    B) Hall

    1. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      1 month, 15 days ago

      B

    3. Bumbaclot
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A

  4. Rhodes your boat
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Wc gtg?!. 0.4itb.

    Verbruggen
    Cala muharemovic konsa
    Palmer Mbeumo Odegaard Barnes
    Haaland Isak j.pedro

    Kinsky hall hemmings mendy

    1. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Looks pretty solid. Mbuemo over Rogers could be scary this week, but probably worth it over 2 weeks with Fulham next.

      1. Rhodes your boat
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Thanks. yeah no Roger’s is a worry. Was tempted to have him this week then move to Mbeumo but will only have 1ft and if Chelsea don’t win big then triple attack is overkill

  5. Whats the Mata?
    1 month, 15 days ago

    re:

    Which one would you go for on WC?

    A. Triple Arsenal def
    or
    B. Double Arsenal def +Saka
    or
    C. Double Arsenal def + Odegaard

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A

    2. terranullius
      1 month, 15 days ago

      B

    3. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A or C

    4. SpaceCadet
      1 month, 15 days ago

      C

    5. Mainoo Magic
      1 month, 15 days ago

      C

    6. Bruin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      C

  6. OptimusBlack
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Pick Two to play
    A- Muharemović NEW (H)
    B- DCL NEW (H)
    C- Tzolis SUN (A)
    D- Elanga LEE (A)

    1. SpaceCadet
      1 month, 15 days ago

      AB

    2. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A C (B D)

    3. Bumbaclot
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A and C

    4. Bruin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      B C A D

  7. SpaceCadet
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Please help complete this Fh team. Budget 6.4m

    Raya
    Cala de cuyper Mitchell
    Palmer rogers Szobo XXXX
    Haaland Isak Pedro

    1. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Tzolis, Stach, Groß or Gomez

      Or really left field, Kamada or Enciso. Palace and Ipswich defences both look poor

    2. Holmes
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Difficult, no one stands out.

      Cant get 0.1 from somewhere?

      1. SpaceCadet
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Could downgrade Szobo > Munoz

    3. Conners
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Gros

    4. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Or Ben White and 433

      1. SpaceCadet
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Nah man, not a fan of tripling up on defence or 4-3-3

    5. JBG
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Scott, Tavernier, Groß, Gomez, Pino or Grav

      1. SpaceCadet
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Stach?

        1. JBG
          1 month, 15 days ago

          Yeah him even

  8. FPL Equilibrium
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Any Forest fans know if Jair Cunha is nailed??

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      He's just been called up by Brazil. Should be fine for now.

  9. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Who to captain?

    A) Haaland
    B) Pedro
    C) Rogers

    1. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      B of them for me

    2. JBG
      1 month, 15 days ago

      B out of those

    3. Kno
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Flipping between pedro and the robot. Currently on robot

    4. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Cheers!

    5. Bruin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      B

  10. joeynse99
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Bench one?

    A) Tavernier
    B) Mykolenko
    C) N. Williams

    1. JBG
      1 month, 15 days ago

      B

      1. joeynse99
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Thanks mate just can’t call the spurs game

  11. JBG
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Tom "NotSoFree"Man WC team

    Amirite?

  12. Big Mac 24
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Any feedback on my FH appreciated, I went home monster Bruno over Haaland.

    Verbruggen

    Calafiori
    VVD
    De Cuyper

    Gapko (Konsa/Barry comes on if he’s out)
    Bruno
    Odegaard
    Palmer C
    Rogers

    JP
    Isak

    1. Warby84
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Interesting I’m tempted (I may sound mental) but Nic Jackson just for the free hit..

  13. Drizzle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Have 1ft left. Already have Palmer/JP and Mbeumo. Considering using my last ft to upgrade Dango. For the next 2 gws only (wildcarding in 6):

    A) Rogers
    B) Szobozlai
    C) anyone else up to 8.7m?

    1. joeynse99
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A

  14. joeynse99
    1 month, 15 days ago

    WC g2g?

    Verbruggen

    Thiaw, Calafiori, N. Williams

    Tavernier, Mbeumo, Saka, Rogers, Szob

    Haaland, JP (c)

    Bench - Kinsky, Barry, Mykolenko, Giles

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      G2G

      1. joeynse99
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Thanks mate just a bit worried about Saka’s minutes tempted to start Barry

        1. PartyTime
          1 month, 15 days ago

          Are you kidding me?
          If you are considering benching Saka for Barry then you might as well get rid of Saka or you do Palmer & Ødegaard for Saka & Mbeumo.
          I'm also confused as to why you considered benching Tavernier above.

          1. joeynse99
            1 month, 15 days ago

            Fairs mate all good points, think I will start Saka

  15. abaalan
    1 month, 15 days ago

    who would you bench out of this front 8?
    Bruno, Foden, Mbeumo, Gomez, Szobo,
    JPedro, Haaland, DCL

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Gomez then Foden

    2. JBG
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Frauden

  16. mr_jones
    1 month, 15 days ago

    WC Team so far:

    Raya / Dubs
    Konsa / Hall / De Cuyper / Tarkowski / Davis
    Odegaard / Palmer / KDH / Yalcouye
    JP / Haaland / Wissa

    got 8.7 left for last midfielder. who should i get?

    A) Semenyo
    B) Rogers (like to avoid triple chelsea)
    C) Mbeumo
    D) Szobo
    E) someone else

    1. Under my Cucurella
      1 month, 15 days ago

      C

    2. Drizzle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      C or D.

  17. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Hi folks, with doubts over Gakpo, what move would you make here? Thank you

    A) Start Gakpo with Kluivert as cover (minutes risk)
    B) Kluivert to KDH
    C) Kluivert to Enciso - just a feeling from watching him
    D) Kluivert to Barnes
    E) Other

    Lammens
    Gabriel, VVD, Calafiori
    Bruno, Rogers, Gakpo, Tzolis
    Isak, Pedro, DCL

    Rushworth, Kluivert, Thomas, Van Ew 1ft .9itb

  18. DARE TO BISCAN
    1 month, 15 days ago

    a) DeCuyper, Muharemovic, Hornicek
    b) Hall, Muharemovic, 4.5GK

    1. Weasel51
      1 month, 15 days ago

      B for me

      1. DARE TO BISCAN
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Which GK, on wildcard, would you do?

        1. Weasel51
          1 month, 15 days ago

          Is your other a 4.0?

          1. DARE TO BISCAN
            1 month, 15 days ago

            Yes

    2. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      B

      1. DARE TO BISCAN
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Which GK, on wildcard, would you do?

  19. Weasel51
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Verbruggen
    Calafiori Konsa Hall
    Odegaard Palmer(c) Rogers Gross
    Isak JP Haaland

    Kinsky 5.0 Slater Mendy

    ___________________________

    Who’s best 5.0?

    Muharemovic or Neco Williams?

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I prefer Neco

    2. tommo-uk-
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I currently have both and lean towards Muharemovic because of DEFCON and goal threat.

    3. Bruin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Neco

  20. Sz21
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Would you do DCL-> Isak (leaving 0.4m ITB)?
    Anything else I should consider?

    Kinsky.
    Konsa, Calif, Ajer.
    Anderson, Palmer, Szob, Odegaard.
    DCL, Haaland, Joao.
    Verbruggan, Sangare, Maguire, Davis.
    3.5m ITB, 1 ft.

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I'm on WC and going without Isak - Fulham is a great fixture but not looking fantastic beyond that, and with European competition I'm not really feeling it. I'd roll for you.

    2. tommo-uk-
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Isak a good option this week but fixtures aren’t great next few after that. Long term or short term plan with him?

      1. Sz21
        1 month, 15 days ago

        I do have the WC still to remove and mix it up again if its not working. Feels like a decent punt for the short term at least..

  21. Biggsy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 15 days ago

    How best to afford Szloboslai to Rogers (giving triple Chelsea attack) on WC?

    A. Raya & Nico Williams to Verbruggen & Calafiori
    B. Nico Williams to Bogle
    C. Just keep Szloboslai as only Liverpool

    1. tommo-uk-
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A

    2. Drizzle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      C

    3. Under my Cucurella
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I like A, but also not sure you need triple Chelsea attack, a lot of eggs in one basket so maybe C

      1. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Yeah that's my worry. Could still do A and bank the cash for now

        1. Under my Cucurella
          1 month, 15 days ago

          It's a close call between Verb and Cala vs Raya and Neco but if the former supplies extra cash as well then I'd maybe lean that way

  22. tommo-uk-
    1 month, 15 days ago

    I have used my 3 FT for the following:

    Bruno to Palmer
    Shaw to Konsa
    Le Fee to Rogers

    Thinking of wildcarding to bring in Saka, Wissa & Barnes….good idea or is it madness?

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Depends how much else you can improve. I like the look of Barnes, the other two not so much. But you would be well placed if you WC this week, rolled next week and carried 4FT into the loooong international break

      1. fantasyfog
        1 month, 15 days ago

        That would definitely be preferable

      2. tommo-uk-
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Yeh that’s what I’m thinking regarding transfers as currently would need to roll both weeks just to have 2 FT over IB

      3. tommo-uk-
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Could go Isak, Odegaard, Barnes instead…

    2. fantasyfog
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Saka looks expensive when you consider Ødegaards form, would need to see rest of team

      1. tommo-uk-
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Team would be:

        Kinsky/4.0

        Muheramovic Konsa Calafiori N Williams 4.0

        Saka Rogers Palmer Barnes Gross

        Haaland Pedro Wissa

        0.1m ITB

        1. fantasyfog
          1 month, 15 days ago

          Not too xabi is it

        2. fantasyfog
          1 month, 15 days ago

          Likely 5 pen takers in there too

  23. fantasyfog
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Captain..

    A Isak H ful
    B Haaland A Utd
    C Palmer H Hull

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Gotta be C, right?

      1. fantasyfog
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Thinking Isak, Fulham look pretty poor

        1. tommo-uk-
          1 month, 15 days ago

          Fulham do look poor but Hull have one of highest xgc, plus extra points for midfielders for attacking returns and Palmer penalty threat.

          1. fantasyfog
            1 month, 15 days ago

            This is true, maybe just having Isak is enough, Palmer is obviously a good pick too, may toss a coin between the two

  24. Under my Cucurella
    1 month, 15 days ago

    A: Mbuemo > Rogers
    B: Roll and Keep Mbuemo

    Verb Kinsky
    Calafiori Maguire Ajer Konsa Davis
    Bruno Mbuemo Szob Tzolis Gomez
    Haaland JP DCL

    1FT 0.1ITB

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I would in the absence of Palmer

      1. Under my Cucurella
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Thanks, another option is Bruno to Palmer as well. I don't like losing either of the Utd lads at the moment, but having 2 Chelsea attackers is probably worth it

        1. Siva Mohan
          1 month, 15 days ago

          I will keep Bruno (H)

    2. Siva Mohan
      1 month, 15 days ago

      get Palmer or Rodgers

      1. Under my Cucurella
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Thanks, I will probably do A, but always hard to sell an in form player like Mbuemo!

        1. fantasyfog
          1 month, 15 days ago

          Thats the trick though, all the previous week point chasers will have got him in, if he blanks you're laughing

          1. Under my Cucurella
            1 month, 15 days ago

            I get that, and I am about to pull the trigger to Rogers as he is also a brilliant option. But Mbuemo is more than just last week's points, he could easily get something against City and continue his form beyond this week. I'm doing the move still, just acknowledging it's not as straight forward an upgrade as some moves are

  25. Siva Mohan
    1 month, 15 days ago

    I have used 2 FTs today .. If I WC now, will I have 2 or 3 FTs before GW5 ?

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      You will have 2 - keep the two you have but you don't gain one as you played WC

  26. Puuli
    1 month, 15 days ago

    a) Thiago
    b)DCL

    1)Enciso
    2)Dewsbury-Hall?

    1. Siva Mohan
      1 month, 15 days ago

      B
      2

  27. Whats the Mata?
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Do y'all expect Saka and Odegaard to start the next 5 PL games?

    1. fantasyfog
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Of course they will, why wouldn't they?

  28. Bruin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Any feedback would be helpful guys and gals

  29. Stap
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 15 days ago

    On FH, have Calafiori

    A: Raya, Pino (4.5 on the bench)
    B: Verbruggen, Odegaard (Gomez on bench)

    1. Siva Mohan
      1 month, 15 days ago

      B

    2. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      B

  30. The Reptile
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 15 days ago

    anyone know if Gakpo is def out today, did he train yesterday.

    Would need a hit to replace him